About Exploratorials

The Exploratorials project involves primary school teachers in the creation of multimedia-enhanced active learning modules for the teaching of science. Two primary school teachers from each of 3-4 schools will be assisted by science, education and multimedia specialists. Exploratorials innovatively integrate content delivery and laboratory style work through a guided discovery process that uses customised multimedia animations to directly illuminate concepts under investigation.

The hands-on activities are geared towards utilising inexpensive everyday objects such as plastic piping, rulers, rubber bands, toys, torches and so forth. The activities are supplemented by multimedia film clips or animations that act to support the investigative process by way of illustrating the activity or visualising material related to the concept being studied. For example, the image below shows slide 14 in a sequence of 15 slides that are then followed by a number of questions for the class to consider. The still graphic on the left, together with the two playable film clips to the right, work together to make explicit the method of cutting and blowing the straw to achieve the required sound. The image of the oboe is accompanied by a playable sound file to allow the students to listen to how a double reeded instrument sounds in an orchestral setting.

Through a logically structured sequence of activities the students are able to progress from a basic understanding of vibration and frequency through to pitch and the nature of sound waves. Activities are also structured in such a manner as to promote a fun and engaging experience.